Dragon Trees by Hollis Shiloh

Hollis Shiloh - Dragon Trees CoverTitle: Dragon Trees

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Short (21pgs)

Publisher: Hollis Shiloh (December 10, 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Blurb: Ulric is a dragon investigator. Peter is a troublesome merchant. Or possibly…more than that.

ISBN: B07L8YZHM2

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: A cute short story where a dragon investigator, Ulric, and a merchant, Peter discuss’ a dragon who eats trees but destroys nothing else.

I found it cute that you could tell these two men had feelings for each other. Even though Ulric informs the king somewhat of what he discovered Peter still wanted to be with him.

Great read.

Bread and Books by Hollis Shiloh

29984929Title: Bread and Books

Series: Baking Bears, #3

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Paranormal/Shifters

Length: 133 pages

Publisher: Spare Words Press (April 22, 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts

Blurb: To Matthew, Jake is a mild-mannered mystery. He bought a failing bookstore, but he doesn’t know how to run a bookstore at all. And by the number of books he’s giving away, the man has to be an optimistic idiot. A business can’t survive by giving things away!

Still, neighboring bakery owner (and secret bear shifter) Matthew can’t help being drawn to him and finding excuses to talk to him. The man calls to him in a way no one else does: with his pheromones, his sweet smiles, and his cinnamon-colored eyes. He makes Matthew want things desperately…

The two men grow closer, and friendship turns to something more. They might even have a chance at forever, if they can bear to share their secrets with one another…

ISBN: e000000002489

Product Link(s): http://amzn.to/1XCnDPc

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breadandbooks-2024995-143.html

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: The Baking Bear series can be read as a standalone story. They are about sweet bears who love their desserts and they want a mate just for them. Although I suppose they don’t really call them mates, nor do they bite their loved ones. It is a very different type of paranormal romance to me. They are just full of tender-hearted care and try to help those that need helping.

Out of the whole series this book was probably, most definitely my favorite of them all. There was just so much more to this then the others and I enjoyed the way it just exploded off the pages for me. There was a bit more humor in this one that made it fly for me. The characters were well-rounded and so sweet that I felt like I knew them. I even loved Cody and felt for him when his parents kicked him out when he was gay.

Matthew was a sexy, tender-hearted bear shifter who loved to cook. He had great ideas, and it would seem that bears do love their sweets quite a bit. When he saw that the bookstore had sold once more, he wondered if it would survive. He decided to take the owner some sweets and to make a new friend. Wasn’t he surprised that the sexy bookstore owner was just perfect for him. It seemed Jake wanted to help everyone that needed help. They become friends then friendship turns to love, and these two are perfect together.

I loved the slow burn romance that this story seemed have. It was just perfect with this type of story. It actually had more action than the previous ones even though there wasn’t really any sex in this one though either. I enjoyed reading it and I do hope that there is another book coming. I loved the secondary characters and do hope that there will be a story for October.

I loved it and would recommend it.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Always Saying Goodbye by Hollis Shiloh, 2nd edition

cd0b8b3c49964cf8e91e9b2ed63d007ff04d860bTitle: Always Saying Goodbye (2nd Edition)
Series: N/A
Author: Hollis Shiloh
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (95 pages)
Publisher: Less Than Three Press LLC (15 Jan 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: Tired of a life of secrecy with a lover who only seems to want him for the sex, Jeremy opts for a whole new life: new country, new job, and perhaps even a chance to date a beautiful woman he could someday marry. It’s exactly what he needs, despite Gavin’s last-ditch efforts to convince him to stay, and definitely for the best that they’ll never see each other again …

ISBN: 9781620043011

Product Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_bookx_info&cPath=127&products_id=552

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is an interesting story that boils down to the idea of two men, deeply in love with each other, find their relationship tested by external influences. Really, a typical story. The story is told completely from the POV of Jeremy, who feels rather neglected by the man he loves, Gavin.

This story may be potentially problematic to some people because the plot is based on the big no, no’s of relationships: primarily, no communication and running away without explanation or trying to help the other partner understand. Okay, I’ll admit, this type of plot device frustrates me at times, as I think is already clear from what I’ve written.

I found it difficult to emotionally understand Jeremy’s POV but completely was on Gavin’s side the entire. I felt so sorry for Gavin, who seemed to be trying while Jeremy was running! I think also throwing in the fact that the story is set in 1979 and 1986, the world and society was a very different place, which again made me to sympathise with Gavin and feel frustrated by Jeremy, again… still.

Here is a line (no spoilers, really), that perfectly sums up this book:

Hello Jerr,
Well, well, well, run off again, you coward.

This is enjoyable and I have to say in the end I was relieved, one that it was finished and two that the guys got their shit together.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

The Sea Calls My Name by Hollis Shiloh

SeaCallsMyName[The]LGTitle: The Sea Calls My Name
Author: Hollis Shiloh
Series: N/A
Genre: Urban Fantasy/New Adult
Length: Novella (70 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 22, 2015)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.75 Hearts

Blurb: He lost his magic. How?

Returning to the bookstore by the sea, Daniel worries about how to tell his father that the money he saved to send his gifted son to magic school was a waste.

Daniel buries his secret under the pretense of coming home for a vacation. Then he meets Leaf Springfield, a beautiful young man who’s been systematically beaten down by his uncle.

Irresistibly drawn to one another, they learn they share more than a love for raw fish and the ocean—both have lost a mother, and their ties to the ocean may be more fantastic than they can imagine.

Passion explodes between the two. It terrifies Daniel how quickly his feelings for Leaf grow. There may be more here than meets the eye—about both of them.

ISBN: 978-1-63216-991-4

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6324

Reviewer: Zack

Review: The Sea Calls My Name has sweet characters experiencing the heady throws of first love. This fantasy romance reads more like a collection of anecdotes written as part of the narrator Daniel’s memoirs – there was a lack of any real central conflict tying the beginning to the end. Without giving anything away, everything that came up seemed to be solved just a few pages later, and it was that more than anything that made this almost seem like a collection of memories rather than one cohesive story.

This was a cute novella with likeable, realistic characters that were well fleshed out. The stories follow the problems of new love in a fantasy setting, and while at first glance Daniel and Leaf’s immediate commitment seems strange, it does get explained later on in the novella. The writing is strong, albeit a bit too tame at times, and you get a fairly good sense of the world these characters live in.

That said, while the writing is strong, it isn’t quite solid. There’s a bit too much exposition – again making it feel as though you’re reading a memoir – and in some areas the story was a bit clunky. I would have liked to know more about the setting – such as what year the story takes place. At times it seems like the characters are conversing in terms from the Victorian age or even prior to that, while the next minute they are driving a car. I would have liked to know where the town was as well. The author created an interesting, vibrant world and I wanted to delve into it more and learn more about how it works.

I’d recommend this tender romantic fantasy for any who want a quick, light spring read.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Fireproof by Hollis Shiloh

91Jn8v21UTL._SL1500_Title: Fireproof

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (170 pages)

ISBN: B00IQR9172

Publisher: Spare Words Press (March 1st, 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Jett used to be a firefighter. He gave it up when he developed the terrifying ability to make fire with his mind. Panicked, he fled—also leaving behind his best friend and secret crush, Levi.

Two years later, they meet again. And somehow, Levi can forgive Jett for leaving and never saying goodbye. But now Levi’s getting married, and that hurts more than Jett thought anything could.

How will Levi take the news of Jett’s weird fire magic—or the news that he’s gay?

Two men navigate the waters of magic, changing relationships, and danger in this contemporary, sweet and slightly angsty paranormal gay firefighter-themed romance.
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Fireproof-Hollis-Shiloh-ebook/dp/B00IQR9172
Review: Jett has been away in Alaska for two years trying to figure out how to control some new powers he has acquired. He comes back, but falls into construction work, instead of going back to the job he loved, firefighting, and his best friend and the man he loved, Levi.
He runs into Levi at a firefighters’ barbeque and Levi refuses to let Jett out of his sight again. Levi also has a secret. He is getting married, but wants Jett to be part of his life and his best man.

This story was very interesting with some mystery, there is someone starting fires and making each one more dangerous for the firemen, the jealousy between Jett and Jessica, and the sexual tension and beautiful friendship between Jett and Levi.

I’m not sure if this is part of a series or not, so if it is Hollis, please forgive, me and I’ll read the first book and rerate the book. It left me with way-too many questions. Where did Jett get his powers? What exactly set them off? I would have loved more about Jett’s background and the powers. I also would have loved a bit more on arsonist and the mystery of the fires. I also found it a bit too repetitive of Jett and Levi saying I love you and Levi saying don’t leave, etc.

However, I did like both Jett and Levi, I liked the sweetness of the story as most of Hollis stories are and of course, I liked the ending.

If you like, a different sort of paranormal, fire, hot, sexy firefighters, a sweet story with a touch of mystery, and a satisfying happy ending this is for you!

The Real Finn by Hollis Shiloh

81lN3RbpUFL._SL1500_Title: The Real Finn

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (118 pages)

ISBN: B00IKZTRWY

Publisher: Spare Words Press (February 21, 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Who is the real Finn?

Shad isn’t happy about working with a partner undercover. He doesn’t do partners, and now he’s stuck with this guy named Finn. But Finn is so many different people. He can become anyone for his work. Which is the real Finn—the frightened pretty boy, the arrogant little bastard, or the friendly, humble guy who laughs at Shad’s jokes?

Shad also doesn’t hook up with anyone. He’s been burned before and now only wants a trustworthy partner in a committed relationship. Unfortunately, he’s falling for Finn….

Then life takes an unexpected turn. Shad ends up in a relationship with Finn that should be all he’s ever wanted. Except for the sex. It takes time for Finn to heal enough to go to bed with him, and even then, it feels wrong somehow, as if he’s not really there. But why?

Danger draws close, and secrets come out—secrets Finn never wanted to share. Is there still a way to make the relationship work? Shad needs to find out just as much as he needs to protect the man he’s come to love. The man who might be in terrible danger….

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Real-Finn-Hollis-Shiloh-ebook/dp/B00IKZTRWY
Review: The Real Finn is a sweet romance with mystery and intrigue. Throughout this story, we follow along as Shad tries to figure out who the real Finn is. He falls in love with the man, his partner undercover, rather quickly, but wonders how much of what he sees is real or an act. Shad tries his best to comfort Finn and is shocked by his request after their first undercover mission together. (I can’t say what it is, since it would be a spoiler.)

Finn is a very complicated character. He is so good at acting and becoming the undercover character even he isn’t sure who the real Finn is. I can’t really say I ever got to the point of liking Finn. I found him a bit wishy-washy and a user. I never really connected with the characters and I felt the story moved a bit fast.

The story was very interesting. I liked the flirting between Finn and Shad. I also liked that there was the undercover story and the other attached mystery, but I felt the undercover mission needed to be fleshed out instead of told to us in little drops over the next few chapters. If the undercover mission had been drawn out, more I think the story would have been much better.

All in all this is a very interesting romance with complicated characters and a sweet romance.

Yours, Johnny by Hollis Shiloh

18336651Title: Yours, Johnny

 

Author: Hollis Shiloh

 

Genre: Contemporary

 

Length: Novella (63 pages)

 

ISBN: B00DV8TZ5O

 

Publisher: Spare Words Press (July 10th, 2013)

 

Heat Level: Low

 

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

 

Reviewer: Cat

 

Blurb:Two young men start writing to one another–one a civilian, the other a soldier struggling with his life in Vietnam.

Pen pals become something more as the boys discover things about themselves and each other through their letters and their lives.

A love story.

 

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Yours-Johnny-Hollis-Shiloh-ebook/dp/B00DV8TZ5O

 

Review: This was a very poignant story. It is mostly written as letters to and from a soldier in Vietnam. The time is the Vietnam War era so homosexuality is still pretty much a secret. The story starts out a young girls is writing a soldier soon her brother takes over for her. He and the Soldier form a friendship and bond.  This story will bring tears to your eyes. I loved when he told the little girl not to open the letters to Dear John.

 

I loved both men. Daniel and John, while very different, they were both struggling with the same secrets and feelings.

 

As short as this story is it has a couple twists and turns that left me surprised and with tears.

If you like short, sad, bittersweet, stories about fining sexuality, coming out, friends to lovers, Vietnam war, 1960-early 70 historical that are sweet yet spicy this is for you.

The One for Me by Hollis Shiloh

81K64tc+WyL._SL1500_Title: The One for Me

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Contemporary/ Coming of Age Romance

Length: Novella (75 pages)

Publisher: Spare Words Press (July 20th 2013)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 2.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Tams

Blurb: Two boys bond, sharing geeky things and fast food. And falling in love.

When Luke’s parents take in a foster kid named Randall, Luke is immediately taken with him, although he doesn’t want to admit to himself why. He wasn’t planning to be gay. He wasn’t planning to fall in love with another boy. But then he met Ran….

I remember when I first met Ran. He was absolutely unprepossessing, all skinny white boy wearing his insecurities on his sleeves, which were tattered and faded on a too-big flannel shirt. He wore jeans that didn’t quite fit him, cheap tennis shoes that had once been white, and glasses that made his eyes look too big in his scrawny, pale face.

And he was holding a trash bag and standing in the middle of my bedroom looking miserable…

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-One-Me-Hollis-Shiloh-ebook/dp/B00E2TMORW

Review: Luke and Randall are foster brothers and best friends. The attraction is there from the start for Luke, it takes Ran a little longer to admit it. Ran promises not only himself, but also his foster parents that nothing is going on between them when they learn he’s gay. They’ve always treated him like family, but since learning of his sexuality, they are more rigid than they use to be. But not Luke, he ever present as a friend hoping to become more.

Underneath everything, this was a cute coming of age and finding your true love at a young age story. But sadly, there were many issues I had that made the book less enjoyable for me. Too much going on in so few pages, the author really should have tried to make this a full-length novel. The complete 360 degree turn that Luke’s parents did hit me like whiplash. It did not fit with the story at all. A few grammatical errors sprinkled here and there that stood out more with the other issues.

Luke and Ran were absolutely adorable though, and the slightly elusive sex for them really worked well for this storyline. If you’re looking for something young and cute, you may enjoy this one. 

A Wizard's Shelter by Hollis Shiloh

WizardsShelter[A]LGTitle: A Wizard’s Shelter

 

Author: Hollis Shiloh

 

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

 

Length: Novella (120 pages)

 

ISBN: 978-1-62798-558-1

 

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (5th March 2014)

 

Heat Level: Low

 

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3 Hearts

 

Reviewer: Pixie

 

Blurb: Visiting his sister Mary at the lighthouse should be a delightful vacation for Elliot–except he’s going there in disgrace while he awaits his fate from the wizard council.

 

Mary’s assistant, Rue, is a gentle, self-possessed young man about Elliot’s age. Elliot is drawn to him, and his magic seems to calm down around the handsome and mysterious Rue. Elliot sinks gratefully into the unexpected grace of Rue’s kindness and friendship. He doesn’t understand why his magic is broken or why it feels whole again around Rue. But right now he’s just trying to survive, grateful for the reprieve Rue’s friendship provides.

 

But then a potential tragedy on the beach culminates in Rue revealing his true nature: he’s a Selkie, both man and seal, with a magic that somehow complements and heals Elliot’s when they’re together. And that might not be possible for much longer.

 

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4755

 

Review: Elliot is a young wizard who was looking forward to his new job, but after a terrible accident his magic is unstable and he visits his sister Mary while awaiting his fate from the Wizard council. Elliot meets Mary’s assistant, Rue, who is a lovely young man who has secrets of his own and seems able to calm Elliot’s magic, but as the Wizard Council comes to a decision, will they listen to the two young men or will Elliot’s broken magic be too great a danger?

 

This is a lovely gentle story that is set in a little fishing village with a strong historical feel to it and we have two young men who both come from magic and a connection that settles both their souls. Elliot is a young man who is severely troubled, his magic has broken, and keeping control is proving hard, when he meets Rue just being close to the other man helps to settle the magic. Rue finds himself working at the lighthouse as an assistant after his family basically turn their backs on him, Finding someone who could accept his nature is something he never dreamed of, but Elliot is the answer to his silent prayers.

 

Elliot and Rue are a wonderful couple whose relationship starts out as a friendship where love blooms, but it is a gentle love, an innocent love that develops slowly. Elliot isn’t sure if he wants a physical relationship but the love he feels won’t let him shy away from the possibility, whereas Rue has his own reasons from keeping their relationship platonic. Their feelings for each other shine through especially near the end when Elliot is given the Wizard Council’s decision.

 

While I liked the storyline of the mystery of what happened to Elliot’s magic, I was enthralled by the setting and innocent love between Elliot and Rue, their determination to protect each other and to accept whatever they have between them as it comes. I loved the descriptions of the wild storms and how it affected Elliot, the loss of control and his desperate feelings as he fought within himself with his magic. This story is one that has an old feel to it, like it was set two hundred years ago and where magic is accepted, but Selkies are still thought of as more of a myth.

 

I recommend this to those who love fantasy and history combining, a gentle love story, determination to get the truth and accepting love in all its forms… oh and a happy ending. 

 

You Were Always the One by Hollis Shiloh

YouWereAlwaystheOneLGTitle: You Were Always the One

Author: Hollis Shiloh 

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Length:  Novella, 104 pages

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (October 30th 2013)

Heat Level:  Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥2Hearts

Blurb:   Max struggled through every day in high school, especially when his hormones seemed to crave boys rather than girls. His best friend Mason and Mason’s younger brother Jamie made a bright spot in his teen life, until he confessed to Mason he was gay. Mason responded by ripping away all his joy, ending their friendship, and warning Max against seeing Jamie. Max is a policeman now, comfortable in his sexuality but private and wary, taking solace in his job and the friendship of his golden retriever, Alex. But the past he thought was behind him demands resolution when a prickly, wounded, shockingly sexy Jamie gets arrested, and Max comes to the rescue.

Product Link:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4284

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Max and Mason were best friends when they were teenagers, along with Mason’s little brother Jamie. Max’s mother passed away when he was much younger and his father is emotionally absent, so Mason and Jamie’s family becomes his second family. Until Max realizes he likes boys not girls. Mason doesn’t take the news well and lashes out at Max, telling him to go away and stay away, and stay away from Jamie. And Max respected that. Now a grown man with a job as a policeman and a dog he loves. Everything is turned upside down when Jamie gets arrested.

Max takes Jamie in to keep him out of jail and out of trouble. Eventually Jamie ends up moving in to Max’s house and old feelings that both boys, now men, kept hidden resurface. But life, Jamie’s inability to make good decisions and Mason are all making it hard for Max and Jamie to make a go at any type of relationship. Add to that Mason’s refusal to be open about his and Jamie’s relationship, and Jamie’s need for him to and the future is looking pretty bleak for these two.  

The relationship between the two ML felt forced and fake. Max was always in turmoil over their age difference, which was only 3 years. And Jamie was written too bad cliché gay for my taste. I mean I loved the idea of two young guys that pined for each other getting another shot at love. But the way it played out on paper was choppy and unrealistic. Promising premise, sloppy execution. Sorry guys, this one just didn’t do it for me, but … to each his own, right!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews*

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

His Papparazzo by Hollis Shiloh

71iR8hyXcDL._SL1500_Title: His Papparazzo

Series:   N/A

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Contemporary

Length:   Novel (146 pages)

Publisher:  Spare Words Press; 1st edition (May 10, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3.5 Hearts

Reviewer:   Eli/Mandingo

Blurb:  Movie star Colin Colton has a contentious relationship with the press–especially that pushy paparazzo, Zach Jarlson.  He certainly doesn’t expect to ever feel sympathy for the little bugger…much less anything more.  But circumstances conspire to change his mind.  They go from enemies to friends and lovers…and then back again, when their world is turned upside down and each thinks the other betrayed him.  Colin tracks Zach down to a private cabin in the middle of a snowy winter’s day and confronts him.  But even once they learn the truth, can a relationship between an actor and a paparazzo survive? 

Purchase Link:   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CQOV4IK/ref=as_li_ss_sm_fb_us_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=399837&creativeASIN=B00CQOV4IK&linkCode=shr&tag=portispass-20

Review: Colin and Zach meet because Zach is a photographer who is constantly taking pictures of Colin.  The friendship between them blossoms into a romance and despite their obvious differences Zach learns to both accept himself and to be more himself with Colin. However, like any good story there must have an issue which creates friction.  This is a story about Hollywood, the paparazzi and betrayal, so the reader can surmise what the issue might be which arises between the men, it’s fairly common in today’s market of consumerism and lack of privacy.

Most people know the paparazzo to be almost blood thirsty in their need to get the picture and thus the paycheck. In this story, however, Zach shows a vulnerability that makes him both likable and sympathetic.  However, even after their initial trial is overcome, Zach must now overcome his own insecurity if he and Colin are to forge a path together. It is Zach who is the stronger character who does what is needed to fight for their relationship. What started out as Zach needing answers or even revenge leads him ultimately back to Colin and the ability for them to both heal.  Once the reader gets to this point, the story then explores what it will take for the lovers to maintain a relationship with each other and that ultimately leads to an ending which is very satisfying for anyone who’s a romantic at heart.

Adrian's Librarian by Hollis Shiloh

AdriansLibrarianLGTitle: Adrian’s Librarian

Author: Hollis Shiloh

Genre: Regency

Length: Novella (103pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (22nd May 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥2 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: One night at a masquerade party, rakish Adrian Knowles kisses the wrong man by mistake and meets Oliver Windham. Feisty yet wary and broken, Ollie desperately needs a friend. Almost against his will, Adrian finds himself playing the hero… and falling in love. 

Adrian hires Ollie to set his library to rights—after having his servants put all the books out of order. He promises himself he’ll treat Ollie only as a friend, but Ollie quickly becomes the only man he wants.

A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3818

Review: Adrian mistakes a young man catching some air for his secret rendezvous. After kissing the man and apologizing he listens to his tale of woe and decides he has to do something to help the appealing young man. Oliver finds himself in an untenable position when his uncle turns him out and he falls into the hands of a procurer. With no one to turn to and no way of finding employment, Oliver has to accept his fate. until Adrian comes to his rescue and offers him the job of librarian. But, Oliver is still wary, after all why would someone of Adrian’s station help a man like him?

This is a very gentle paced Regency romance, of a young man who is struggling to survive and a well-to-do gentleman who takes him under his wing. Adrian falls under the innocent charms of a younger man when he mistakenly kisses him. Taking him into his home as a librarian, Adrian can’t help but wish for more. Oliver is wary of his new employer, the man kissed him! Oliver has been bruised in the past and it led to him being homeless. Now Oliver has to trust his instincts and he blooms under his new employer’s roof. When Oliver discovers his feelings for Adrian are romantic in nature, he has to convince Adrian it is something he really wants.

Oliver and Adrian made a decent couple, but it is a very tentative friendship at first with Oliver’s fear and wariness shining through and Adrian’s suppressed longings and yearnings. The relationship is slow-paced, with Oliver learning to trust Adrian and when they do begin to explore the relationship deeper it is still drawn out slowly. The storyline is quite good with a wealthy gentleman coming to the rescue of a man fallen on hard times. A man who has been misused in the past and needs protecting. the wealthy gentleman falls in love, but doesn’t think his affections will be returned.   

I found this story to be a little bit too much at times, Oliver crying and Adrian’s yearnings just drove me mad. I really felt at times that it was getting Mill’s and Boon’s sappy and a really early Mill’s and Boon at that. The attitudes were completely wrong for the timeline as well, men crying!! Offering comfort!! Not in Regency England they didn’t. I really did want to enjoy this story more, but it just didn’t sit right. Because it felt like Adrian was treating Oliver like a female with delicate sensibilities, rather than as another man.

I will recommend this to those who love young man in distress, a dashing gentleman rushing to the rescue, falling in love in harsh times, gentle love and a very happy ending.